Are you facing a season of overwhelming struggle?

Maybe you’re battling financial hardship, physical pain, or emotional turmoil that leaves you feeling unseen and isolated.

A Woman’s Desperate Circumstances

When hope feels distant, the story of the bleeding woman in the Bible offers a powerful reminder of God’s compassion. For twelve long years, she suffered from a relentless condition, driven to the edge of hope. Yet, her faith endured—faith that trembled and broke the rules. Her story offers hope and encouragement for anyone facing financial, physical, or emotional suffering.

Trusting When There’s Nothing Left

Despite spending everything she had on doctors, her bleeding condition only worsened. Maybe you too know that all too familiar struggle—putting everything you have into finding solutions, reaching out for help, and trying countless options, but still stuck in the same place, with answers never coming.

As the Bible recounts in Mark chapter 5, “She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better, she grew worse.”

In her distressing situation, she took a risk punishable by death. A woman could not touch a man, let alone a rabbi. The idea of touching a holy rabbi was scandalous in Jewish culture.

Until this point, she probably followed the rules. However, when she saw Jesus, whom she had heard could perform miracles, she knew he could help her. Since her condition made it impossible for her to reach Jesus, she crawled through the crowd to touch his clothing. Her bleeding stopped immediately! 

Here’s where the story gets even more interesting. Suddenly, Jesus felt healing power emanating from Him, and He looked around and asked, “Who touched me?”

It didn’t make sense to the disciples since everyone was touching him.

When Jesus asked this question, the bleeding woman trembled in fear. She was afraid but knew she must tell the whole truth. 

I wonder if admitting the truth about breaking the rules in front of everyone felt as risky and scary as fighting through the crowds, being trampled on, to touch his cloak. 

“Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.”

It was her. She did it. She broke the rules.

Faith often means stepping out even when we are afraid. It’s trusting God in moments of vulnerability and uncertainty. And here lies the heart of the story—Jesus’ response.

Take Heart: A Message of Strength

In the Bible, “take heart” is often paired with the phrase “be strong.”

These were not words of rebuke or anger. Jesus didn’t shame her or turn away. He didn’t flinch at her impurity or condemn her for breaking societal norms. Instead, He offered compassion and encouragement.

When Jesus said, “Take heart,” He conveyed strength wrapped in kindness. His words remind us that God’s response to our trembling faith is one of understanding, love, and acceptance. He sees past our fears and meets us with boundless compassion.

His comforting words echo through time, speaking to each of us today.

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What Jesus’ Words Mean for You Today

Jesus spoke these words to ease fear and instill courage. I wonder what his words mean for you today? Perhaps God is telling you…

Take heart. Don’t worry, it will be ok.
 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” — John 14:1

Take heart. I see your pain. It’s over now.
 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes.” — Revelation 21:4

Take heart. I know the courage it took to do what you did.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid… for the Lord your God goes with you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6

Take heart. Don’t worry about what others think. Continue to trust me.
 “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” — Proverbs 29:25

Take heart. I’m here for you.
 “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20

Take heart. I love you.
 “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” — Jeremiah 31:3

Take heart. It’s ok. Don’t be afraid.
 “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” — Matthew 14:27

Take heart. Be at peace.
 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” — John 14:27

Take heart. Your faith will get you through.
 “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” — Luke 8:48

Take heart. For I, the Lord, love justice.
 “For I, the Lord, love justice…” — Isaiah 61:8

Take heart. I hate wrongdoing.
 “I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing.” — Isaiah 61:8

Take heart. Your suffering is finally over.
 “The God of all grace… will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” — 1 Peter 5:10

Take heart. I am the one who will one day end all this suffering and injustice on earth.
 “Behold, I am making all things new.” — Revelation 21:5

Take heart. This world is not your home.
 “Our citizenship is in heaven.” — Philippians 3:20

Take heart. Even when troubles abound, you can have peace in me.
 “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33

Take heart. I will help you.
 “I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10

Take heart. I am in control.
 “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” — Psalm 103:19

Take heart. As a Christian, you are victorious.
 “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:57

Take heart. I have called you by name, and you are mine.
 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” — Isaiah 43:1

Take heart. When you feel weak, my strength will carry you.
 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Take heart. I am making a way where there is no way.
 “I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:19

Take heart. My love for you will never fail.
 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” — Psalm 136:1

Take heart. Your prayers are heard, and I am moving in your life.
 “If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” — 1 John 5:14

Take heart. The battle is not yours to fight alone—I am with you.
 “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” — 2 Chronicles 20:15

Take heart. No storm can stand against my power.
 “Even the winds and the waves obey him!” — Matthew 8:27

Take heart. Trust that I guide you even when you can’t see the way forward.
 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5

Take heart. What the enemy meant for harm, I will turn for good.
 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…” — Genesis 50:20

Take heart. I am preparing a place for you, and I will come again.
 “I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you to myself.” — John 14:2–3

Take heart. I will never leave you or forsake you.
 “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5

Take heart. I have given you authority over fear.
 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

Take heart. I delight in you and sing over you.
 “He will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17

Take heart. I will renew your strength.
 “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:31

Take heart. You are never alone.
 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” — Isaiah 43:2

Take heart. I know the plans I have for you.
 “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

Take heart. I am your refuge and strength.
 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1

Take heart. I came so that you may have an abundant life.
 “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” — John 10:10

A New Identity And A Loving Affirmation: Jesus Calls Her “Daughter”

In front of everyone, Jesus uplifted the bleeding woman’s social status by calling her daughter.

Consider what the word daughter implies.

It means He thinks of her as His child. He wants her to know He loves her and that she has value and worth.

Our hearts break for our children when they suffer from health issues, are bullied, or long to be accepted.

How much greater is our Heavenly Father’s love for us?

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

This isn’t just about physical healing; it goes much deeper.

Spiritual Transformation

When you become a Christian by confessing and believing that Jesus died for your sins, you become a child of God. The bleeding woman who broke the rules was Jesus’ child.

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” (Mark 5:34).

Finding Peace in God’s Character

Faith is about trusting—trusting that the truth of God’s character helps us heal.

What is Jesus telling you to take heart about?

No matter what we face, when we trust in the character of God, we can find peace.

A Prayer for Strength and Endurance

Dear Lord,

Help us trust you with faith that follows the leading of your Holy Spirit. You said we would have trouble in this world. When it comes, give us the strength to take heart and endure, knowing this world is not our home. Until you call us home, may we live in the spiritual freedom you offer on earth—a freedom that believes in your goodness, power, and love. Forgive us when we redefine your character through our difficult and painful circumstances. When we lose heart, help us to be strong and take heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Amen.